[hhbolt]

We bought a fully optioned Kona EV last year. Wrecked it 2 days ago in a deer strike. The choice of the Kona was easy- Bolt was not eligible for a tax credit, and the leaf charging system is out of date. The high end version was also easy. It was the only one available. At a $5,000 price jump, I probably would not have gone for it, but I did enjoy the luxuries. Like almost everybody, I hate the stock tires. Truly horrible.

But, things have changed. The reduction in the Bolt pricing combined with the rebate eligibility are making it look good.

It looks to me like the sweet spot is the LT1 with the convenience and confidence packages.

So- anybody want to weigh in on how I might like it compared to the Kona?

EV vs EUV: This will be my commuter. It will rarely, if ever, carry passengers. It will often carry dogs, which means seats flat, and barrier in place. Looks like the EUV has a slightly smaller cargo area, but 3 inches more leg room. Not sure this will matter in dog configuration. Do the seats fold flat, or almost flat?

Any other advice?

Pretty well set on the Bolt, and would love to hear from owners

 

[Voldar]

Kona vs Bolt :

• feel cramped in the Kona vs Bolt EV, especially in the back
• finnicky infotainment in Kona vs Bolt EV
• Kona charges slightly faster than Bolt EV/EUV
• Bolt has a better implementation of one-pedal-driving vs Kona, even though the Kona allows to chose the regen levels
• Kona is a niche car, the Bolt is found everywhere and can be serviced everywhere

 

[LoneR]

^ Ramblings of a mad man.

By Jack Handy.

 

[jreddington]

My EUV is LT 1 with the comfort, convenience, and driver confidence package. In cold weather, comfort package is critical. It allows dialing back the cabin temperature for range extension. Driver confidence I could live without. Convenience gets you leather. But it’s blue leather. Who came up with that idea? At least it is compatible with my bright blue exterior. To get black seats you have to drop Convenience to go to black cloth. Or go Red Line for black leather.

Or go Premier to get another leather color option. But I would be getting into sticker shock territory.

On the dog side, I used to have a Leaf that the dog had no problem with. She’s not so sure about the Bolt jump in height. Not sure how it compares to the Kona height.

 

[hallcp]

EUV seats fold pretty flat. There are two levels of underfloor storage at the back as well. 56cf capacity with seats down for EV/EUV. 10” infotainment screen with wireless Carplay is great. Ride seems especially smooth and quiet. Konas are pretty rare here in N.C., so I can’t compare directly.

 

[MarkCapeCod]

It looks to me like the sweet spot is the LT1 with the convenience and confidence packages.

That's exactly what I have and don't miss the other options at all. I like that the EV costs less and has more range. I don't need the EUV exclusive features. Any more than this just puts more money in GM's pocket.

I'd do it like this again.

 

[404 Not Found]

It would use a lot of gas if it was an LT1. It's actually a 1LT. And yes with those two packages, the 1LT gives you all you could ever need I think. 2LT of course give you more if you want to pay. As for EV vs EUV, I prefer the EV. It has more style on the sides. I vastly prefer it from a driver's standpoint due to all the windows and a very sloped windshield that goes almost over your head which has a better chance a avoiding stone chips. It's also faster, better handling and has more range. Many prefer the EUV with it's SUV like styling. It might ride softer too and you can get more features on the higher trims. Let us know which one you get.

 

[Elaine R]

That's exactly what I have and don't miss the other options at all. I like that the EV costs less and has more range. I don't need the EUV exclusive features. Any more than this just puts more money in GM's pocket.

I'd do it like this again.

Same.

 

[ExEV6Bolty]

We bought a fully optioned Kona EV last year. Wrecked it 2 days ago in a deer strike. The choice of the Kona was easy- Bolt was not eligible for a tax credit, and the leaf charging system is out of date. The high end version was also easy. It was the only one available. At a $5,000 price jump, I probably would not have gone for it, but I did enjoy the luxuries. Like almost everybody, I hate the stock tires. Truly horrible.

But, things have changed. The reduction in the Bolt pricing combined with the rebate eligibility are making it look good.

It looks to me like the sweet spot is the LT1 with the convenience and confidence packages.

So- anybody want to weigh in on how I might like it compared to the Kona?

EV vs EUV: This will be my commuter. It will rarely, if ever, carry passengers. It will often carry dogs, which means seats flat, and barrier in place. Looks like the EUV has a slightly smaller cargo area, but 3 inches more leg room. Not sure this will matter in dog configuration. Do the seats fold flat, or almost flat?

Any other advice?

Pretty well set on the Bolt, and would love to hear from owners

I have the ev1lt with convenience and confidence package and hardly have passengers but often have my dog!

The back seats lay almost completely flat, your dog should be able to walk across it just fine.. however the trunk has a false floor that doesn't feel like it's substantially sturdy, and may even tilt if your dog stands on it in a certain way. So I suppose it depends on how chunky your dog is? Id say let him sit on the back seat if at all possible! The car is low enough to the ground that my dog , who is relatively small, can easily jump into it! I'd say it's a great car for dogs, and for people too!! I absolutely love it. Plenty of room in the EV !

Here you can see the seam between the seat and the false floor.

 

[John Woods]

A friend's dog, about twice the size of the one in pic above, hopped into the back of Bolt while seats were folded down and immediately lost leg into lower compartment as the lid opened up when a paw tried to rest on the flips-down part of the lid. The dog was then caught by the lid and struggled in panic to escape while its owner and I, standing outside the car, tried to move fast enough to help out.

A barn door latch from Ace Hdwe strapped across the lid near the hatch door would take care of that?
Paint to match.
Or something.
Maybe just leave the lid in a closet or garage?

Based on that limited experience JMO the Bolt is not pet friendly in cargo area, and the cargo area lower compartment lid could cause significant injury.

The fallacy of being correct

Otherwise happy to endorse the Bolt.

 

[BillG49]

A friend's dog, about twice the size of the one in pic above, hopped into the back of Bolt while seats were folded down and immediately lost leg into lower compartment as the lid opened up when a paw tried to rest on the flips-down part of the lid. The dog was then caught by the lid and struggled in panic to escape while its owner and I, standing outside the car, tried to move fast enough to help out.

A barn door latch from Ace Hdwe strapped across the lid near the hatch door would take care of that?
Paint to match.
Or something.
Maybe just leave the lid in a closet or garage?

Based on that limited experience JMO the Bolt is not pet friendly in cargo area, and the cargo area lower compartment lid could cause significant injury.

The fallacy of being correct

Otherwise happy to endorse the Bolt.

That problem has been eliminated in the EUV, and I assume in the 2022+ EV. In my 2020 EV, I added a thumbscrew at the back that locked down the false floor after reading about, and experiencing the problem with my dog.

 

[Boltmobile]

Kona EV vs Deer = Deer 1 Kona EV 0
Bolt EV vs Deer = Deer 1 Bolt EV 0
Hummer EV vs Deer. What deer?

 

[ExEV6Bolty]

That problem has been eliminated in the EUV, and I assume in the 2022+ EV. In my 2020 EV, I added a thumbscrew at the back that locked down the false floor after reading about, and experiencing the problem with my dog.

Mine is the 2022 pictured above and does still have this issue. Though, the back seat is plenty room for my dog to stretch out in even! so I just leave the seats up for her.

Maybe you could get a piece of plywood and paint it / throw a sheet over it and cover the top of the seats folded down and the fasle floor so they have something sturdy to rest on?

 

[BlaZL1olt]

My advice, if your Kona isn't a total loss, I'd keep it (hopefully you have full coverage). If you want to get rid of the Kona because of the damage, expect to take a hit on depreciation. If you get lucky and find a Bolt that a dealership is willing to sell at MSRP, then maybe you can trade in your Kona before the wreck shows up on Carfax, but that's a big variable.

Having said that, you probably won't get your pick of trim, color, or other options if you do manage to find one on a dealer's lot at MSRP. I'd personally just keep the Kona and drive it until the wheels fall off as once that accident is listed on its history, you're looking at a few thousand dollars of depreciation. This of course, is if you go through insurance and don't pay out of pocket for the repair.

 

[wingbyte]

No experience with the Kona, but we bought a 2023 Bolt EV 1LT with the features you mentioned plus a dual level charger. We love it and can't think of any other features we would need.